In the non-math world, the word “exponential” is often used rather loosely, to emphasize how quickly something is increasing. Before you reach for that adjective, though, try reading this explanation of what the term literally means. (And while you’re at it, check out the history behind the similarly-misused word “decimate.”) Jon Butterworth explains, “True exponential increases and decreases occur whenever the rate of change of something is proportional to the thing itself. … From a mathematical point of view, there is a problem, an equation, to solve in all these situations. In words, this is: if the rate of change of a thing is proportional to the thing itself, what is the thing, and how does it actually change with time? This equation can be solved, and the answer is an exponential.” theguardian/science/life-and-physics/2014/jul/20/the-meaning-of-exponential Are there any other math terms that you frequently see used figuratively?
Posted on: Wed, 17 Sep 2014 14:00:00 +0000